A glimpse into the past...

The next director was Mr. Henry Hartman of Chicago. He was to take the band to the Iowa State Fair at Des Moines where we were engaged to play but because of illness in the Hartman family he was unable to go. Mr. Ed Hulse of Washington who had directed the men's band in Keota came to our rescue and took us up to the Fair for which we were very thankful.

At the beginning, the band paid its own way by giving concerts and the Keota community and merchants were very kind by hiring the girls to play the Saturday night concerts before they could play many tunes.

For two seasons the band gave weekly concerts at West Chester and Wellman. During the life of the band concerts were played at Washington , South English, Webster, Harper, Sigourney, Ottumwa, Davenport, Burlington, Centerville, Marengo, Cedar Rapids; also at Mystic where the band played two seasons at the Mystic Fair.

The band finally disbanded in 1918 after playing a two day engagement at the Iowa State Fair. It disbanded because several of the girls were going to college and some married and moved away.

The members of the original band were: Lavina Dowis, Hazel Williams, Sarah McNurlen, Bess Smock, Ruth Lindauer, Mary DeYoe, Nellie Fish, Lois Stewart, Hazel Hagist, Ella Brown, Mrs. Clarke Nelson, Mrs. Glass, May Dorrance, Ruby Hulse, Blanche Torrey, Pearl Warrington, Pearl McNurhel, Mrs. Albert Shauenberg, Clara Stewart, Lura Ludwig, Mrs. Lola Gilbert and Max Glass, director.
By Mrs. Ruby Hulse Helscher (Will)
One of the original members of the band

The Keota Ladies Band was organized in August of 1905 with Mr. O. W. Glass as their first director. The ladies got their instruments and began practice right away. By July 1, 1909, they had received their uniforms — some 25 of them. They consisted of jacket and skirt of khaki goods and cost about $7.00 each. "The girls look swell."

May 2, 1912. Miss Emma Keeley sent Governor Burke of North Dakota a picture of the Ladies Band and received a lengthy letter in reply. Gov. Burke went to school in a little log school house about a half mile from Harper and knew the Keeleys well. He said that the next time he visits his home in Sigourney, he'll come to Keota to see old friends and maybe this Keota Band would turn out, who knows?

Note: Gov. John Burke was born and reared in Keokuk County and was appointed Treasurer of the United States by President Wilson and filled that position from 1913 to 1921. The people of North Dakota urged his candidacy for the office of the President of the United States at the Baltimore Convention but he requested that his name be withdrawn.

May 16, 1912. The Keota Ladies Band is in Burlington playing for Democratic State Convention. Special from Burlington says the Keota Ladies Band is one of the most popular and unique organizations in Iowa. The ladies dress in neat costumes with broad brimmed hats, with brims turned up.

THE KEOTA LADIES BAND

The Keota Ladies Band was organized at Keota in 1905. The idea of the Ladies Band came to Mr. E. C. Gilbert after reading in the Sunday paper about a Ladies Band and suggested the idea to his wife, Mrs. Lola K. Gilbert, who thought it a good idea and began talk ing to her friends and with the help of the ladies who were interested the Keota Ladies Band was organized. Mr. Max Glass was in Keota and was asked to be direct or and he considered and thus the Ladies Band came into existence.

For the first five or six years the band was under the direction of Mr. Glass, then William Langenberg of Columbus Junction took over. He took us seriously and made us realize that no organization would amount to anything without work. He encouraged us by telling us that the way we picked up the knowledge of music was wonderful; that we were no scrub organization. They could and did play the most difficult music and that wasn't all because of the director either. They had lots of talent for music.

Later Mr. William Langenberg's brother, Charles Langenberg, took over the directorship.

July, 1916. The Ladies Band has contracted to play a
weekly series of concerts at West Chester.

September 28, 1916. An enormous crowd was in town
Saturday night to see the drill put on by the Ladies Band
and it was neatly done. Immediately after they gave a concert in Independence Park.

August 30, 1917. The Keota Ladies Band, twenty in number, played a two-day engagement at the Iowa State Fair, August 27 and 28. E. A. Hulse of Washington directed them.

Keota Had Many Parades And Celebrations

The circus comes to town. Corner of Fulton and Broadway looking east. Date unknown but the Union State Bank building (Dr. Don's office) was built in 1904. The Randolph Bros. hardware store pictured on the same corner dates back to 1881.

Parades
And
Celebrations

Fourth of July Parade.... Billy Mason as Uncle Sam....
New Studebaker, before 1908.

Fourth of July
1911

Parades
And
Celebrations

KEOTA'S PLACES OF WORSHIP
PAST AND PRESENT

Quoting from the "Washington Gazette" of May 17, 1872, about the new "cornfield" town of Keota. Last Sunday May 12th was "Opening Day" for public religious services. A Sabbath School under Rev. Mr. Smock (Presbyterian) was inaugurated at 2 1/2 P.M. Mr. Smock preached at 3 1/2 P.M. and Rev. Mr. J .C. Kendrick of the Talleyrand Methodist Church preached at 5 P.M. Services were well attended. Mr. Smock has prepared a room above his wagon shop which is 21 x 32 feet which is to be used for religious exercises, town hall, etc., until better accommodations can be had.

BAPTIST CHURCH

The Baptist Church was the first church built in Keota. At a meeting held with the Baptist Church at Washington, Iowa, July 4, 1872, the matter of building a house of worship by the Baptists at Keota was decided upon and a building committee appointed to solicit aid. The work was begun in August and finished October 10, and dedicated October 20, 1872, by Rev. N.A. Reed of Muscatine preaching the dedication sermon. Rev. Wood began preaching during the summer of 1872 every two weeks, holding services at Smock's Hall until the completion of the church. The cost of the church was $1871.00. This church stood at the site of today's United Presbyterian Church.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The oldest church organization in the town of Keota was the Presbyterian.

This church was organized at Paris, Washington County, Iowa, on the 5th day of May, 1855, by Rev. Thomas H. Dinsmore. The organization was moved to Talleyrand in 1856 when a church was built there and where the organization remained until moved to the new town of Keota in 1872.

This move was made under the pastorate of Rev. D. V. Smock, who had built a hall as before mentioned for the purpose of Divine Services and where not only the Presbyterians, but all the churches of the town for a time worshipped.

In 1874 the first Presbyterian Church was erected at a cost of $3000 or $4000. This church building was erected on the south end of the old high school playground facing south on Keokuk Street.

In August 1938 the Presbyterian Church building was razed. The church board sold the two lots to the Keota School District for $993.44.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Very soon after Keota started it came into the minds and hearts of a few loyal United Presbyterians in the vicinity of Keota to establish a church of their choice in the new town. True there was a flourishing United Presbyterian congregation at Westminister, six miles east of Keota, and another at Pleasant Valley, or Tyrone, six miles south, but these were long distances in those days for there were no automobiles then. The big lumber wagon was the common vehicle for the country people and if the roads were impassible for wagons, then as many as could wended their way to church on horseback and some walked.

On May 19, 1872, Rev. J. H. Montgomery preached the first United Presbyterian sermon ever preached in Keota. After much consideration and many conferences, a petition was circulated to determine how many were willing to attempt an organization. Twenty-one adult persons signed the petition asking that an organization might be established in Keota. A charter was granted and the right to organize a United Presbyterian Church in Keota was accomplished June 20, 1873. The organization took place in the Baptist Church and the 21 persons signing the petition became the charter members.

The church was organized but they had no church home and no pastor. Through the kindness of the Baptist Church people, services were held in their church usually in the afternoon with an occasional meeting in Smock's Hall.

In one and a half years after organization, there had been quite an increase in membership. About this time the erection of a church building was talked of. The church was built during the summer and fall of 1875 at a cost of $4,087.00 and dedicated December 16, 1875.

It was during the pastorate of Rev. H. H. Brownell, who was installed in 1899, that the church was remodeled at a total cost of $3,428.70.

This then was the largest church building in Keota and was considered a credit to the people who erected it.

This church stood on the first lot north of the Frank Dasher residence and faced the East on Fulton Street. In January of 1946 this old landmark was razed.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

At the session of the Iowa Conference held at Oskaloosa in September, 1872, the Keota M. E. Mission was organized with Rev . E.W. Twining as preacher in charge. During the year 1872-1873 the foundation of the church was laid. The following year with Rev. B.W. Gortner, pastor, the church was completed and dedicated by Bishop E.G. Andrews. The frame church building was erected at a cost of $2,500.

In 1888 there were slightly over 200 members.

In 1897 it was found necessary to enlarge the church and the old church was incorporated into it by adding two or three rooms.

A number of beautiful memorial windows were installed. Rev. Chew was the pastor. The church was dedicated October 16, 1898, by Dr. Crippen of Des Moines.

In 1915-1916 many more improvements were made and while this was being done services for the Methodist members were held in the three-story brick building. It was fitted with chairs and organ. Since 1915 many more changes have been made. The main entrance steps on the east were removed and a new entrance made on the south of the building. Many memorials have been given to the church. Three members of the local church have become ministers.

In 1939 the name of the church was changed to the First Methodist Church, thus dropping the one word Episcopal.

The Methodist Church has always been at its present location and today is referred to as Wesley Methodist Church.

June 29, 1944. Former Keotan to be New York Governor. Joe Hanley was minister here 40 years ago. Succeeds Governor Tom Dewey. Keota people and many other old friends take a pleasurable interest in the fact that the new governor of the State of New York is a former Keota resident. Joe R. Hanley was pastor of the Methodist Church here about 40 years ago for approximately two and one half years.

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The first Methodist Service was held in Keota, May 12, 1872, in a building called Smock Hall, which is now the location of the D-X Station. Service was conducted by Rev. J.C. Kendrick, who had charge of the Church in Talleyrand, which included Lafayette Center and occasional services at East Lafayette School house.

Meetings were held during the summer and in September 1872 the Annual Conference was held in Oskaloosa and formed a Keota Circuit, which consisted of Keota, Talleyrand, Hamilton School house (in 76 Township) and Lafayette Center. These were attached to the Muscatine District with J.C. Bunn as Elder and Rev. E.H. Twining as Preacher in charge.

November 20, 1872, a building committee was elected, consisting of M.B. Walsh, A.M. Pringle, L. Torry, James Huskins and L. Dunshee. R. Huston was appointed Class Leader.

In the Spring of 1873 a contract was let for a church building to be erected on lots purchased in July of 1873, which were one block North of Smock Hall.